What’s on for London Families 9th - 15th March
If you have an infant or toddler, do not miss Monkey Music’s free trial class (a few places left) on Friday 8th March in St. Michael’s Church on Chester Square … this is a great chance to see what all the hype is about and meet the charismatic Jayne. Do send along an RSVP: [email protected] or The Monkey Mobile: 07415 101514
Family Events Saturday 9th March
Le Institute Francais, Kids Tales. Le Musique with Frederic Chopin. Introduce your children to easy French and Misuser Chopin on Saturday morning, £7 per child (£5 members), 3-5 year olds, 11am.
Foundling Museum, Badges and Buttons. Explore the exhibit “Fate, Hope and Charity” and then come and make a creative memento to give to mum. Free, 10:30-12:30 and 2:30-4:30.
Cadogan Hall: Crash, Bang, Wallop! The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin. Come listen to composer Stephen McNeff’s retelling of Beatrix Potter. Always a fantastic family-friendly concert in a superb concert hall with loads to do after on The Kings Road. Adults £8, children £6, family ticket £24. Concert begins at noon, pre-concert activities at 11am.
Forge Arts Venue, Children’s Interactive Music Workshop: Regular music-making events designed for children ages 1-4, helping them get an early start into music appreciation. Tickets £5 at the door. 11am.
Saatchi Gallery Family Art Workshops. Take part in an artist-led workshop learning about the current exhibit, this week the focus is Roman Savchenko. 1-2:30, £7
Thinking ahead to Easter Holidays:
- If you are in town, I strongly recommend trying out Love Swimming’s Fast Track Swimming Courses; check out London’s best value children’s’ swimming lessons. You can book your kids into a 1:1 or 2:1 session for 30 minutes starting from £110. You might read this and think “what are they going to learn in a week?”. I took my youngest over February half-term and I discovered that he was able to quickly consolidate what he had learned the day before and Bila got him swimming independently in two lessons (to be fair, the kid is always in the pool, but he used to cling to me in the pool and refuse to go under water). This is one of the best values and the return on your investment is nearly guaranteed. Hurry before all spaces are taken!
- Pippas Poppets will be putting on another musical, The Jungle Book, for parents of children participating in her Spring Musical Theatre workshop for children ages 3-6, April 2-6. Email [email protected] for more details.
Saturday Films:
Barbican Family Film Club: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Imagine life with junk food raining from the sky (or Westerners struggle with affluence). Tickets are £2, bring the kids and escape the cold while you chill and watch a movie. Great price. 11am, all ages
Gate Picturehouse, Eleanor’s Secret By far, the most interesting film in the line-up this week, Tickets £1 with £4 membership, popcorn and juice £2. My husband’s rainy day ace in the hole, fabulous value for Saturday morning family time in a great location.
Electric Cinema, Kid’s Club: This week’s feature, Gnomeo and Juliet; 10:30am. Listen to Elton John in a retelling of the Baird’s classic. Check out the newly refurbished Electric Cinema with its plush, red velvet beds, sofas and armchairs. Looks like a great way for Dad to occupy the kids on a Saturday morning. Tickets £8 per person. All ages
Family Events Sunday 10th March
Chelsea Theatre, World’s End, King’s Road: The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark. Come and see Jill Tomslinson’s critically acclaimed children’s book brought to life in this stage adaptation by Blunderbus Theatre Company. At the end of the King’s Road, in the World’s End Estate. Great theatre at a great price £8. 11:30 and 3pm.
Two Temple Place, What a Relief!. Inspired by “The Artist in Working Cornwall” exhibit, join sculptor Nicola Burrell to create your own hand crafted treasures to take home. Noon-4pm, all ages.
Forge Arts Venue, Keys and Coffee. Piano genius Sergei Podobedov . Great way to begin a Sunday with little ones. Tickets £10
And on to the upcoming week:
For Babies and Toddlers:
Wigmore Hall, For Crying Out Loud. Thursday 14th March, 11am. Come and listen to Anna Harvey and Friends vocal chamber group, tickets just £6. This is only for infants under 12 months, but it’s a fabulous little concert in gorgeous concert hall located close to Oxford Street and Marylebone High Street for a little wander after.
Love Swimming, Pimlico: London’s premier specialist swimming school (cited in this month’s Triatholon 220 as London’s top swim coach) has opened up morning lessons for babies and toddlers, 10am-4pm, see the timetable for all availability. Baby Lessons are an affordable way to get your kids into this highest quality, over-subscribed, specialist swimming school.
Pippa’s Poppets: SW1’s favourite singer and songwriter is kicking off another term. There is an early morning class on Tuesdays and Thursdays at St. Saviour, St. George’s Square (just by the Pimlico Tube) from 9:35am for 4 months- 3 years. £7.50 per class. Mondays and Wednesdays at St. Gabriel’s Church, Pimlico. Thursdays in Chelsea at Beaufort House (fabulous London family club) and Tuesdays in Knightsbridge.
Forge Arts Venue, Imagination Station. A sensory movement and music class for babies 4 months to 2 years old. £7, drop-in.
Electric Scream: Come and see Le Miserables Experience the luxury of the newly refurbished Electric Cinema. Mondays, 11am. This screening is only for carers with infants under 12 months, dim lighting, changing tables, quality food, even wine!! £15.50 for an armchair, very pricy but great fun.
Gate Picturehouse, Big Scream. Bring your infant under 12 months on Tuesdays at 10:30 for a screening of Arbitrage Tickets are £8.50
Mums and Babies Dolphin Square Gym: Thursdays 10:30-11:15. You do not have to be member to try out this brilliant class brainchild of London’s celebrity yummy mummy trainer, Nina Turner. If you want to get motivated to get fit, come to Nina: she will make you crack a rib laughing as you train so hard you might vomit (she is a bit gentler on new mums) but bring the baby and get your energy levels back. No need to childcare, just come along and get your game back on. £60 for 6 sessions for non-members, £50 for members: use them as and when. Alternatively, try Buggy Fit with Nina in St. George’s Square SW1, 9:30am Monday mornings. You bring the pushchair, Nina supplies the weights, skip ropes, mats and other torture devices er, fitness equipment. Same prices and policy. [email protected]
